Li Chunfeng sat in the main hall of the villa,茫然ly staring at the employee handbook in his hands—more like a printed sheet than a proper handbook. The title read "Technical Department Employee Handbook." It listed thirty points, most of which were utterly absurd. For instance, the first point stated that Xiahou Aotian was the department's leader and the only leader. The second point instructed that Xiahou Aotian was, without question, the wisest scholar in history, and that one must show him the highest respect—greeting him with formal courtesy upon every meeting! The sixth point declared that in the technical department, everything Xiahou Aotian said was absolutely correct; if one held an opposing opinion, it must be because one was mistaken. And the nineteenth point mentioned that Xiahou Aotian deeply cared for his subordinates, holding weekly lectures every Saturday to impart profound knowledge and timeless wisdom on the scholar's profession—therefore, from now on, every Saturday, one should address him as "Dean!" What exactly is going on here? Is this new technical department head establishing a personal cult? More a brainwashing manual than an employee handbook. I'm here to work, not to sell myself—Li Chunfeng almost suspected he'd stepped into a pyramid scheme. "From your expression, it seems you're not entirely satisfied with our Technology Department's policies," Xiahou Aotian said, sitting upright with a low, steady tone. Now he's a leader in his own right, overseeing the most crucial department of the organization—a future company valued at thousands of billions. A boss, after all, must carry the dignity and presence of a boss. Li Chunfeng thought to himself: what kind of nonsense is this? I'm definitely not satisfied—I'm quitting this job right now. Just as he was about to decline the offer, his phone chimed. He picked it up to find a message from Yuanshǐ Tianzūn: "This guy isn't very sharp. Just ignore him from now on. Keep up the good work—Fu Elder says he'll get you a car and a driver." Li Chunfeng read the text message carefully, then silently showed it to Xiaohou Aotian, saying, "It came from Yuanshish Tianzun. According to Section Two of the Employee Handbook, we are required to show the highest respect to our supervisors. Yuanshish Tianzun has so severely criticized my supervisor, and I personally strongly disagree." Xiaohou Aotian was deeply impressed, stood up, and extended his hand: "Good comrade." Li Chunfeng replied, "Good supervisor!" Xiaohou Aotian then warmly guided Li Chunfeng through the workplace. The main hall on the first floor had all walls removed, leaving only load-bearing columns, and was equipped with essential facilities such as cooling pools, laboratories, CNC machines, and 3D printers. These are the most fundamental equipment. While props don't require such facilities, creating mechanical weapons and other machinery absolutely relies on modern industrial equipment. On the second floor lies the tool room, housing the most comprehensive tools and materials—should supplies be sufficient, you could even build a sports car here. Yet Li Chunfeng showed no particular interest. After all, no matter how advanced these tools were, they were still products of modern industry. "Leader, Fu Elder sent me to create mechanical weapons, but as I've walked around, every workshop is filled with ordinary items." Li Chunfeng furrowed his brows. "Where's the furnace? I haven't seen the most crucial one." Whether crafting artifacts or mechanical weapons, two core elements are essential: first, blueprints; second, the furnace. The blueprints are likely not something he needs to worry about, but the furnace—he simply hasn't seen one. Here, in the workshop, there is no furnace at all. "Waiting for exactly this moment," Xiahou Aotian mimicked the Master of the Original Heaven, tapping his fingers. "Come with me!" He led Li Chunfeng back to the first floor and stopped at an octagonal recess beside the cooling pool, where, in front of the scholar's very eyes, he removed a bronze furnace standing half a person's height. The body of the furnace was carved with a fierce beast resembling a ram. "Check its attributes!" Xiahou Aotian proudly raised his chin. He anticipated that this young scholar, after reviewing the furnace's properties, would be filled with excitement and admiration for him, his leader. Li Chunfeng reached out curiously, pressing his palm against the furnace's body. After a few seconds, he looked surprised. "A great thing!" "A great thing?" Xiahou Aotian stared at Li Chunfeng in astonishment, fixing him with a penetrating gaze. "Just like this?" A master-level artifact, indeed. A master-level artifact. Wouldn't you be expected to kneel before it to honor its status? Otherwise, what? Li Chunfeng thought for a moment and said, "Ah, actually, this furnace shares certain attributes with a rule-based artifact I've encountered before—its name is the 'Hundred-Forged Melting Furnace.'" As he spoke, he noticed Xiahou Aotian suddenly clutching his chest, the other hand braced against the furnace's top, his handsome face convulsing as if suffering a heart attack. "What's wrong with the leader?" Li Chunfeng was startled. Xiahou Aotian gritted his teeth. "Nothing serious—just a sudden chest pain." ... The next day, morning. Fu Qingyang summoned his most trusted subordinate to the study and got straight to the point: "I've already sent emails to headquarters and the Jianghu Branch informing them that you've lost the Yin-Yang rotating disk. Get ready—soon, headquarters will send someone to inquire about the situation." Zhang Yuanqing perked up and pondered, "What kind of attitude does the boss expect from me?" Fu Qingyang glanced at him and coldly replied, "You're supposed to be gentle, respectful, and humble—always obedient, always willing to compromise, always hesitant when confronting the headquarters' ten elders. Can you really manage that?" Zhang Yuanqing felt a bit embarrassed. Fu Qingyang gave a sharp sniff. "Just go with your own instincts." The boss's tone sounds just like that of parents who are disappointed but hopeful... Zhang Yuanqing nodded, then settled into the guest area, enjoying the black truffle cake, ham slices, and ice cream on the glass table—standard offerings, even when no guests were present, even if the money prince didn't eat them, the rabbit maidens would update them daily. Master Qian doesn't mind waste—he needs to make an impression. About two hours later, the door of the study swung open with a loud "thud," and an older man with gray hair at his temples burst in. Dressed in a black suit, with a square face, a full beard, and slightly drooping corners of his mouth, deep furrows across his forehead and fish-eye wrinkles at his eyes, he carried a strong, serious demeanor. He resembled the meticulous, unyielding detective from comic books. He was the senior elder of Jianghu Branch, with the spiritual identity "Detective," formerly the head of Jianghu's Public Security Bureau. Behind him came a middle-aged man in a suit, wearing wire-rimmed glasses, with a calm and gentle presence— —Secretary of the Head Elder, Di Hong. "What on earth are you up to, Fu Qingyang?" the old detective strode forward, completely ignoring Zhang Yuanqing, fixing his gaze on Fu Qingyang seated behind the desk, and barked, "Where's my Yin-Yang Rotating Disk?" Fu Qingyang sat upright with unwavering composure, his face unchanged: "Detective Elder, I've heard you were firm and principled when you were younger—unyielding, always fair. After all these years as an elder, you ought to have softened your nature. A piece of equipment from the Saint stage? That's hardly anything." Fu Qingyang remained silent, merely glanced at Zhang Yuanqing. The latter understood immediately, swallowed the cake, and stood up to say, "What does Fu Elder have to do with this? It was I who lost the items—I'll compensate." The detective elder stared at him intently, coldly remarking, "Since you're willing to take responsibility, that's perfect. I know you have several valuable assets. Specifically, there are two items that can be compensated to Jianghai Branch—one is the Sacred Heaven Set, and the other is the Universal Commerce Exchange Voucher. Choose one to offer." Are you just sitting there thinking about nothing? With such a big appetite, don't you fear you'll burst? Zhang Yuanqing inwardly scoffed. The Sacred Heaven Set was no surprise, but the Universal Commerce Exchange Voucher—considered a top-tier, life-saving consumable capable of enabling a half-divine to defeat three opponents—was a true treasure in the eyes of half-divines. "Alright, I'll compensate." Zhang Yuan had a clear plan in mind and spoke confidently, "According to the original agreement, I will return all rewards granted to the Jianghu Branch—specifically, fifty million cash, one ordinary-quality item at the Saint Stage, and a B-level merit. However, since I've become well-known, I've lived extravagantly, indulged in fine dining and entertainment, and have long since exhausted my funds. I no longer have the means to repay the fifty million, and the headquarters may place me on their credit blacklist. I will certainly repay them once I have saved enough." Zhang Yuanqing quickly pulled out his phone, turned on the camera, and exclaimed, "Well then! The senior from Jianghu Branch has committed a violent act at Songhai, disregarding laws and regulations, even breaking them— I've recorded it all. I'm going to file a formal complaint with my cousin!" "Your cousin?" The detective senior grew even more furious. "My cousin is the Marshal!" Zhang Yuanqing shouted, his voice rising. The clash of sword energies suddenly weakened. Li, observing from the sidelines, cleared his throat heavily and finally spoke, "Both of you are senior officials. Don't make this too difficult. I'll represent the Grand Senior to mediate this matter." He stepped forward, entering between the two opposing energy fields, and as he did so, both streams of sword energy fields collapsed, sweeping through the office like a strong wind. The detective senior sneered, "Unless we get the Yin-Yang Disk today, no mediation will matter." "Lost!" Fu Qingyang sat back down. The detective senior narrowed his eyes. "Then, the Sacred Heaven Set shall be compensated to Jianghu Branch." Fu Qingyang chuckled coldly, "Grand Primordial Sovereign, are you "Recorded, boss!" "Good," Fu Qingyang nodded, turning to Li Secretary and saying, "Li Secretary, the Jianghu Branch Detective Elder has been eyeing Yuanshish Tianzun's Sacred Heaven Set. He's come to our Songhai branch, making a fuss, insisting on forcibly seizing it. According to official protocol, how should this be handled?" Li Secretary smiled and tried to mediate, "That's too much, Fu Elder, that's too much." Fu Qingyang ignored him and asked, "Then what about Yuanshish Tianzun?" Zhang Yuanqing spoke up loudly, "He should be dismissed! Furthermore, as the head of the Patrol Department at Songhai Branch, Fu Elder has the responsibility to maintain order and protect the jurisdiction. Should any Lingjing Traveler commit a violent act, according to official regulations, regardless of their status, they must be executed without exception!" Li Secretary and the Detective Elder exchanged startled expressions, but the latter was more furious—he had never before faced such firm resistance since he was promoted to Master and became a senior elder at the Jianghu Branch. "Stay calm, stay calm." Li Secretary fixed the police elder with a more assertive gaze, strode over to the desk, and smiled warmly. "Fu Qingyang, let's cut through the formalities. We both know what's really going on—there's no need for any performance here. How about this: Fu Family returns the full eight million yuan that it has supported Jianghu Branch. Not only that, Jianghu Branch will also contribute an equal amount to invest in Fu Family." He looked at Fu Qingyang with sincere eyes. "What do you think?" Fu Qingyang frowned, then replied offhandedly, "Master Yuan, haven't I told you recently that Fu Family has provided Jianghu Branch with a sponsorship? I can't quite recall the exact figure." "I remember!" Zhang Yuan said confidently. "It was eight million yuan." Fu Qingyang nodded slightly, then turned his gaze to Li Secretary. "Did you hear that?" Li Secretary's smile gradually faded, and she sighed. "Perhaps Fu公子's expectations are simply too high." "Fu Qingyang's face grew stern as he asked, 'When you secured the rights to the rotating disc, why didn't you reflect on whether your own ambitions were too vast?' 'Is that it? No compromise?' 'No gifts!' Li Secretary stared at him intently, then glanced at Zhang Yuanqing, as if he held no worth in her eyes. 'Let's go!' Li Secretary turned and walked away. "Li Secretary shook her head: 'How do I convey this to the Senior Elder? What do I say—that we've accepted bribes of 800 million?' The matter of the exclusive rights to the Yin-Yang Rotation Disk was handled behind the scenes, and Elder Di Hong was completely unaware. The Investigative Elder raised an eyebrow: 'The Jianghu Branch won't take this in silence. I agree; the other Elders disagree.' 'Then let's go stir up a fuss!' Li Secretary chuckled. 'The crying child gets the milk—Master Yuan Shishen is fined only 50 million, and yet the headquarters detains him. When will he pay back and when will he be released?' The Investigative Elder frowned: 'Detention requires the signatures of all ten Elders. Neither I nor you have that authority.' Although Master Yuan Shishen's relationship with the headquarters had grown strained, he remained a prominent figure, and ordinary Elders lacked the power to detain him. Li Secretary lit a cigarette and said calmly: 'You're good at investigating cases—yet you're not strong in handling matters like this.' I can't go to the Senior Elder on the matter myself, but you can go to Cai Elder—believe me, he'll be willing to sign the warrant. "Once you've detained Yuan Shǐ Tian Zūn, tell Cai Elder that Yuan Shǐ Tian Zūn claims the Yin-Yang Rotating Disk has gone missing, intending to claim it all for himself. The disk is an official asset—what crime is that? "After that, you needn't worry about anything further—Cai Elder will apply for the Tiger Seal and conduct the interrogation on Yuan Shǐ Tian Zūn." The Investigative Elder brightened. Li Secretary continued, "During the interrogation, remember to ask Yuan Shǐ Tian Zūn whether Fu Qingyang was aware of this. Hah! It won't be difficult at all to charge him with either complicity or concealment. Fu, if he doesn't take the face we offer, don't expect us to be kind." The Investigative Elder shook his head immediately, "He's the younger brother of the Marshal—let's just leave him alone if we can." One is furious in the study, the other remains calm and mediating—yet behind the scenes, it's the latter "The Marshal won't get involved in these matters. Last time, the Master had to break protocol and intervene in the Wuxing Alliance's affairs. If she does it again, the Ten Elders can formally protest that she's not respecting their authority, and the other three Masters won't be able to tolerate it either. They can endure once, but not twice—otherwise, the rules they established back then would be completely undermined. Moreover, this situation is different from the previous one. This time, the Prime Immortal himself is clearly wrong—he's actually encroaching on official assets. "After all, Master, you never really intended to recover those eighty million." "Those eighty million were for purchasing the Yin-Yang Wheel. Without that sum, you'd truly be seen as embezzling official assets—ten elders wouldn't agree, nor would the Grand Marshal." "Master truly has thought this through. From now on, it all depends on Master's skillful maneuvering." Fu Qingyang remained silent. Zhang Yuanqing bowed immediately: "Thank you, Master." Fu Qingyang finally nodded: "Just a small matter!"